Michael McCaul (b. January 14, 1962, in Dallas, Texas) is a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives from the state of Texas. McCaul represents the 10th Congressional District of Texas and was first elected to the House in 2004.

Based on analysis of multiple outside rankings, McCaul is an average Republican member of Congress, meaning he will vote with the Republican Party on the majority of bills.

Biography

After earning his J.D. from St. Mary's University, McCaul went into private practice as a lawyer.[2] He was also Chief of Counter Terrorism and National Security to the U.S. Attorney's office in Texas. From 1998-2002, McCaul served as Deputy Attorney General under then-Attorney General John Cornyn.[3]

Issues

Legislative actions

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 114 out of the 3,036 introduced bills (3.8 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[6] For more information pertaining to McCaul's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[7]

National security

NDAA

McCaul voted for HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[8]

DHS Appropriations

McCaul voted for HR 2217 - the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 that was largely along party lines.[9]

CISPA (2013)

McCaul voted for HR 624 - the CISPA (2013). The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill would allow federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities. The bill was largely supported by Republicans, but divided the Democratic Party.[10]

Economy

Farm bill

On January 29, 2014, the U.S. House approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013, H.R. 2642, also known as the Farm Bill.[11] The bill passed by a vote of 251-166. The nearly 1,000-page bill reformed and continued various programs of the Department of Agriculture through 2018. The $1 trillion bill expanded crop insurance for farmers by $7 billion over the next decade and created new subsidies for rice and peanut growers that would kick in when prices drop.[12][13] However, cuts to the food stamp program cut an average of $90 per month for 1.7 million people in 15 states.[13] McCaul voted with 161 other Republicanrepresentatives in favor of the bill.

2014 Budget

On January 15, 2014, the Republican-run House approved H.R. 3547, a $1.1 trillion spending bill to fund the government through September 30, 2014.[14][15] The House voted 359-67 for the 1,582 page bill, with 64 Republicans and three Democrats voting against the bill.[15] The omnibus package included 12 annual spending bills to fund federal operations.[16] It increased the paychecks of federal workers and military personnel by 1 percent, increased Head Start funding for early childhood education by $1 billion, reduced funding to the Internal Revenue Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, and protected the Affordable Care Act from any drastic cuts. McCaul voted with the majority of the Republican party in favor of the bill.[14]

Government shutdown

On September 30, 2013, the House passed a final stopgap spending bill before the shutdown went into effect. The bill included a one-year delay of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and would have also stripped the bill of federal subsidies for congressional members and staff. It passed through the House with a vote of 228-201.[17] At 1 a.m. on October 1, 2013, one hour after the shutdown officially began, the House voted to move forward with going to a conference. In short order, Sen. Harry Reid rejected the call to conference.[18] McCaul voted in favor of the stopgap spending bill that would have delayed the individual mandate.[19]

The shutdown finally ended on October 16, 2013, when the House took a vote on HR 2775 after it was approved by the Senate. The bill to reopen the government lifted the $16.7 trillion debt limit and funded the government through January 15, 2014. Federal employees also received retroactive pay for the shutdown period. The only concession made by Senate Democrats was to require income verification for Obamacare subsidies.[20] The House passed the legislation shortly after the Senate, by a vote of 285-144, with all 144 votes against the legislation coming from Republican members. McCaul voted against HR 2775.[21]

As one of the wealthiest members of Congress, McCaul donated his shutdown earnings to the March of Dimes.[22]

Federal Pay Adjustment Act

McCaul voted for HR 273 - Eliminates the 2013 Statutory Pay Adjustment for Federal Employees. The bill passed the House on February 15, 2013, with a vote of 261 - 154. The bill would prevent a 0.5% pay increase for all federal workers from taking effect, saving the federal government $11 billion over 10 years.[23]

Immigration

Morton Memos Prohibition

McCaul voted for House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain illegal aliens residing in the United States.[24] The vote largely followed party lines.[25]

Healthcare

Healthcare Reform Rules

McCaul voted for House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires that all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.[26]

Social issues

Abortion

McCaul voted for HR 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The resolution passed the House on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 228 - 196 that largely followed party lines. The purpose of the bill is to ban abortions that would take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization.[27]

Previous congressional sessions

Fiscal Cliff

McCaul voted against the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was 1 of 151 Republicans that voted against the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257 - 167 vote on January 1, 2013.[28]

Campaign themes

2014

Excerpt: "Our health care system is in need of reform, but the $1.2 trillion legislation the Democrats passed is not the reform needed. I will fight to repeal and replace this government takeover of 1/6 of our economy and the coverage mandates that I believe are unconstitutional."

Border Security

Excerpt: "America's borders are our nation's last line of defense in the War on Terror and they must be secured. During my first term in Congress my subcommittee on Investigations issued a border security report showing evidence that terrorists want to exploit our porous borders to gain entry into the United States."

War on Terror

Excerpt: "September 11 changed our lives forever. That day America woke up to the reality of a new enemy. Today's terrorists have no care for innocent life and have vowed to bring America to its knees. My top priority is to help make sure this nation does not suffer another terrorist attack, and my work and votes reflect that important priority."

Taxes & Economy

Excerpt: "The economy continues to be our nation's primary challenge. I stood up against using your money to bail out Wall Street banks and against a Stimulas package that was heavy on pork and short on job creation. More than a year after both have passed, unemployment remains well above 8 percent."

Veterans

Excerpt: "Nothing less than everything we can afford should be spent on our veteran's medical and after-service care. There was a time when this nation did not provided enough of the right kind of care, and I supported and fought for legislation to make sure that never happens again."

Energy & Environment

Excerpt: "I am greatly concerned about America's growing dependence on foreign sources of energy and the impact fossil fuels are having on our environment. Our reliance on imported energy only serves to increase our vulnerability to both external events and the actions of regimes that are, in many cases, openly hostile to the interests of the United States."

Elections

2014

McCaul ran for re-election to the U.S. House in 2014. He won the Republican nomination in the primary election on March 4, 2014, with no opposition. He will face Tawana Walter-Cadien (D) in the general election on November 4, 2014.

Full history

To view the full congressional electoral history for Michael McCaul, click [show] to expand the section.

2010

On November 2, 2010, Michael McCaul won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Ted Ankrum (D) and Jeremiah Perkins (L) in the general election.[34]

U.S. House, Texas District 10 General Election, 2010

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Michael McCaulincumbent

64.7%

144,980

Democratic

Ted Ankrum

33%

74,086

Libertarian

Jeremiah Perkins

2.3%

5,105

Total Votes

224,171

2008

On November 4, 2008, Michael McCaul won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Larry Joe Doherty (D) and Matt Finkel (L) in the general election.[35]

U.S. House, Texas District 10 General Election, 2008

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Michael McCaulincumbent

53.9%

179,493

Democratic

Larry Joe Doherty

43.1%

143,719

Libertarian

Matt Finkel

3%

9,871

Total Votes

333,083

2006

On November 7, 2006, Michael McCaul won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Ted Ankrum (D) and Michael Badnarik (L) in the general election.[36]

U.S. House, Texas District 10 General Election, 2006

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Michael McCaulincumbent

55.3%

97,726

Democratic

Ted Ankrum

40.4%

71,415

Libertarian

Michael Badnarik

4.3%

7,614

Total Votes

176,755

2004

On November 2, 2004, Michael McCaul won election to the United States House. He defeated Robert Fritsche (L) and Lorenzo Sadun (Write-in) in the general election.[37]

U.S. House, Texas District 10 General Election, 2004

Party

Candidate

Vote %

Votes

Republican

Michael McCaul

78.6%

182,113

Libertarian

Robert Fritsche

15.4%

35,569

Write-in

Lorenzo Sadun

6%

13,961

Total Votes

231,643

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for McCaul is available dating back to 2004. Based on available campaign finance records, McCaul raised a total of $8,555,475 during that time period. This information was last updated on March 25, 2013.[38]

2012

Breakdown of the source of McCaul's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

McCaul won election to the U.S. House in 2012. During that election cycle, McCaul's campaign committee raised a total of $1,124,340 and spent $1,075,667.[48] This is less than the average $1.5 million spent by House winners in 2012.[49]

Lifetime voting record

According to the website GovTrack, McCaul missed 150 of 6,440 roll call votes from January 2005 to March 2013. This amounts to 2.3%, which is worse than the median of 2.2% among current congressional representatives as of March 2013.[53]

Congressional staff salaries

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. McCaul paid his congressional staff a total of $1,004,640 in 2011. Overall, Texas ranks 27th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[54]

Staff bonuses

According to an analysis by CNN, McCaul was one of nearly 25 percent of House members who gave their staff bonuses in 2012. McCaul's staff was given an apparent $4,211.67 in bonus money.[55]

Net worth

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, McCaul's net worth as of 2012 was estimated between $102,547,780 and $183,760,040. That averages to $143,153,910, which is higher than the average net worth of Republican representatives in 2012 of $7,614,097.96. McCaul ranked as the 4th most wealthy representative in 2012.[56]

Michael McCaul Yearly Net Worth

Year

Average Net Worth

2012

$143,153,910

The data used to calculate changes in net worth may include changes resulting from assets gained through marriage, inheritance, changes in family estates and/or trusts, changes in family business ownership and many other variables unrelated to a member's behavior in Congress.

Wealthiest members of Congress

According to a report by The Hill, McCaul is one of the three wealthiest members of Congress. His minimum net worth, earned through his wife's family connection to Clear Channel Communications, was estimated at $101 million by the report. He is joined by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) on the list.[57]

National Journal vote ratings

2012

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. McCaul tied with one other member of the U.S. House of Representatives, ranking 68th in the conservative rankings among members of the U.S. House.[58]

2011

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. McCaul was tied with two other members of the U.S. House of Representatives, ranking 68th in the conservative rankings among members of the U.S. House.[59]

Voting with party

2013

McCaul voted with the Republican Party 98.2% of the time, which ranked 57th among the 233 House Republican members as of June 2013.[60]